Accused Sent to Supreme Court For Trial

Horowhenua Chronicle, 3 May 1935, Page 6

Accused Sent to Supreme Court For Trial

MURDER BY MAORI ALLEGED EVIDENCE OF THREATS (By Telegraph—Press Association.) HAWERA, Last Night. Jack Ngapaki was charged in the Patea Magistrate's Court this morning with the murder of. Sam Hauora at Opaku on March 25, and was committed to the Supreme Court for trial at Wanganui on May 27. Mr. J. H. Salmond, S.M., was on the Bench. Mr. N. It. Bain appeared for the prosecution- and Mr. T. Roberts for accused. Constable Kelly gave evidence that he found deceased fully clothed in the yard of the farm on which lie and Ngapaki resided. Alongside the body was a hardwood stick, with which the wounds had apparently been inflicted. The only person in the house was accused, who said, when asked what had happened: "I killed him." Accused also said that Hauora came home swearing, growling and talking roughly. Accused told him to get out and when deceased was going to get rough again, accused hit him on the forehead with a stick, striking him several times after he fell to the ground. He was then arrested. Accused, when charged, said: "It was Sam's fault." Accused was quite sober and rational. W. T. Simmons, of Patea, u medical practitioner, corroborated statements made by accused to the constable. Accused appeared to be quite collected and normal. In company with Dr. G. J. Adams, witness conducted a post-mor-tem examination. Hauora ; s death was due to concussion following a cerebral haemorrhage, together with a fracture of the skull. Turoa Hauora, son of deceased, said he heard from the door of the cowshed the argument between accused and deceased. Witness heard plainly accused say: "1 will kill you." These were the only words he could hear, although both were speaking at the top of their voices. Witness did not hear what his father was saying, as accused spoke louder. The argument continued about five minutes. Then witness started towards the house. When about half-way, witness heard the knocking of something bumping against wood. He saw accused standing by the fireplace outside, it being fairly dark. Accused called ou»t: "Tu, I killed Sam to get him out of the road." .For some years accused and deceased had been in the habit of quarrelling, although sometimes they were quite friendly. The last argument witness heard was about a year ago. On that occasion accused had said he would kill Sam if he did not get off the property. This statement had been frequently repeated by accused, and witness recalled quite readily two other -occasions when the threat was made. A Coronial inquiry was held in conjunction with the Court proceedings, Mr. E. F. Hemingway (Coroner) finding, in accordance with the medical evidence, that death was the result of cerebral haemorrhage, concussion and fracture of the skull, from blows inflicted by .fack Ngapaki.